Speaking in Richardson Auditorium, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton discussed a wide range of Middle East issues, from sanctions against Iran to upcoming elections by Israelis and Palestinians.

At left: Before the speech, Clinton greeted Daniel C. Kurtzer
(left), the former U.S. ambassador to Israel and Egypt who is the first
holder of Princeton's S. Daniel Abraham Visiting Professorship in
Middle East Policy Studies, and Abraham (right), the noted
philanthropist and Middle East peace advocate who created the position
in the Woodrow Wilson School.

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Clinton calls for 'new vision' in Middle East

Posted January 19, 2006; 01:08 p.m.

by Jennifer Greenstein Altmann

U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, delivering a speech at Princeton University on Middle East issues, called for the United Nations to sanction Iran for pursuing nuclear weapons.

In an appearance Wednesday, Jan. 18, to celebrate a new professorship in Middle East policy studies at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Clinton warned that "a nuclear Iran is a danger to Israel, to its neighbors and beyond." She urged the United States to "move as quickly as feasible for sanctions in the United Nations."

In addition to discussing the situation in Iran, Clinton (D-N.Y.) spoke of the need for "new vision and leadership" by the United States in the fight against terrorism and for peace in the Middle East.

The visit to the Princeton campus was part of events commemorating the 75th anniversary
of the Wilson School as well as an opportunity to recognize the
creation of the S. Daniel Abraham Visiting Professorship in Middle East
Policy Studies and its first holder, Daniel C. Kurtzer, former U.S. ambassador to Israel and Egypt.

"I
am a great fan of the Woodrow Wilson School and all that it does to
challenge, train and inspire a new generation of leaders and public
servants," Clinton said. She saluted Abraham, a noted philanthropist,
and Kurtzer for their years of work seeking to achieve peace in the
Middle East. Both were present for the address in Richardson Auditorium.

The
upcoming elections by the Israelis and the Palestinians are turning
points in the ongoing struggle for Middle East peace, Clinton said. "No
more excuses for the Palestinians. They have to demonstrate clearly and
unequivocally their commitment to a peaceful future, and they have to
also demonstrate their ability to deliver services to their people. Now
the rest of the world stands ready to help. ...

"The
current leadership of the Palestinians has been rhetorically quite
supportive of the relationship with Israel and the hope that there
could be a renewed peace process," she said. "But words alone are
insufficient."

Clinton spoke of a book that Abraham had just
completed about the Middle East, titled "Peace Is Possible," that takes
an optimistic viewpoint about the future of the region.

"Optimism,
some believe, is a peculiarly American virtue," she said. She joked
about the complaint that Americans know little about their country's
history: "Yes, of course we're doomed to re-create it, but it also
gives grounds for optimism if you have no idea what happened before."

She
went on to reminisce about her days as first lady, when she would sit
down to "the obligatory first lady tea with the spouse of leaders" from
other countries. "I would say just to make conversation, 'Well, how are
things in fill-in-the-blank,' the country of the woman I was with, and
I sometimes got a conversation that began in the 10th century. 'Ever
since the Crusades it's never been the same.'

"History can be
like a yoke around a people's neck," she said. "History can blind you
to the possibilities that lie ahead if you're just able to break free
and take that step. History has weighed heavily on the Middle East.
What we have tried to do over the last 30 years, starting with
President Carter, moving through other presidents, including my
husband, now this president, is to send a uniquely American message: It
can get better, just get over it. Make a decision for hope. Make a
decision for peace."